A London-based news agency and journalism training company has opened a new Manchester office.

News Associates/Sportsbeat is now dispensing news from its north-west base and the first batch of pupils is studying its new training course.

The company is also offering free workshops to tempt in more journalism students.

Prospective trainees can sign up for a one-day course involving classes and a session in a mock newsroom.

Commercial director James Parsons said: "These workshops are one of the key ways of getting people to come on the courses.

"We will give students a very potted version of what the main course is all about.

"In the afternoon, we put them in a real news situation and hopefully they will sign up at the end of the day."

Speaking about the expansion, managing editor James Toney said: "Manchester is fantastic base for our new office.

"It's right in the heart of the city and is already a winner with our reporters and trainees.

"We couldn't think of a better city to be based in. The growing level of media opportunities in Manchester and the north west will be a great benefit to all our graduates."

Ian Gilbert will be head of journalism in Manchester. He joins the company from Melbourne-based broadsheet The Age where he has worked for the last ten years in a number of executive positions across news, sport and features.

The agency runs 20-week fast-track courses and 40-week part-time courses.

The National Council for the Training of Journalists is due to asses the new Manchester course for accreditation next month.

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